Margie T Logarta drops by six of Seoul’s most prestigious addresses for a quick update on how their club products are progressing.
CREATING SPACE
GRAND HYATT
Turned 30 this year, the well-located property on Mount Namsan has capitalised on sweeping views of the Han River and surrounding landscape through floor-to-ceiling windows of its Grand Club Rooms.
An extensive refurbishment, begun in 2003 (and set for completion by year-end), has resulted in a more spacious and open layout in the executive accommodation that features mirrors placed on the upper wall areas and sliding doors in the bathrooms. The latest technology – such as flat-screen TVs and DVD players – has also been installed alongside existing internet broadband access and homey amenities as a coffee kettle and a teapot.
The Grand Club Lounge was likewise refreshed and given a brighter atmosphere enhanced by lighting and elegant but comfortable furniture. The value-added perks such as quick check in and check out, breakfast, evening cocktails, butler and concierge service, conference rooms, free internet access and fax remain available.
CONTACT: 747-7 Hannam 2-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul 140-738, tel 82 2 797 1234, http://seoul.grand.hyatt.com
POISED FOR CHANGE
HILTON
With a change of ownership, the 31-year-old former Millennium Hilton is poised for a major renovation. Its new brand name is expected to be announced shortly.
Of the 681 rooms, 203 are spread throughout six Executive Floors, located on the building’s topmost levels. Floors 17 and 18 are designated as Executive e-rooms featuring PCs with flat monitor screens, internet broadband access, printers and multi-channel TVs.
For guests who choose to stay in this upper tier, two executive lounges – with views of Mount Namsan – and two boardrooms are at their disposal. Benefits include free breakfast at the lounge, cocktails, speedy check in and check out and secretarial support.
CONTACT: 395, 5-ga, Namdaemun-ro, Chung-gu, Seoul 100-676, tel 82 2 317 3114, www.hilton.com
GAINING CUTTING EDGE
JW MARRIOTT
Some 140 newly designed executive guestrooms have emerged from the current refurbishment activity being undertaken by the hotel.
The US$13 million project, which will also affect F&B outlets and the Marquis Thermal Spa, is targeting completion in early July of next year.
Features to be introduced in the rooms include a 40-inch LCD flat-screen TV and cutting-edge “Remote Jack Pack”, offering users a single source interface for audio, video, iPods and computer devices to connect to the in-room television monitor or other AV outputs.
Another trademark Marriott component is the Revive Bed, consisting of a firm mattress, down or foam pillow, down comforters in sheeted duvets, and 300-thread-count cotton white sheets with an elegant bed runner. Bringing efficiency and aesthetics to the abode are classic art pieces, contemporary lighting and designer furniture that is also ergonomic, along with fresh themes reflected in the soft touches such as wallpaper, carpeting, curtains and upholstery.
Adjacent to the Central City complex, south of downtown Seoul, this property enjoys good patronage and is thus conducting renovation floor by floor so as not to drastically disrupt the flow of business.
CONTACT: 19-3 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-040, tel 82 2 6282 6262, www.marriott.com
DESIGNED TO SURPRISE
LOTTE HOTEL
When was the last time you checked into this grand dame of Seoul hotels? If not for some time, then why not do so on the next trip and receive a big surprise.
Supremely well-located in the heart of downtown and next to the similarly named department story (with duty-free shopping), Lotte Hotel has been steadily making the crossover from classical European to contemporary chic.
The New Wing (it’s not really that new having been built over a decade ago), moved its lobby and check-in facilities to the 14th floor that also features an exquisite tea house and meeting rooms. From October 1, renowned chef Pierre Gagnaire will have a restaurant on the 35th floor.
In the Main Wing, refurbishment is in full swing. Three different designers were commissioned to execute their vision of a corporate guestroom combining compactness, efficiency and aesthetics. (One even placed a vivid abstract oil painting behind the large flat-screen TV that swivelled to face wherever the viewer was seated.)
The results were rendered in soothing and muted tones, but as to which is best layout, Lotte management is leaving that to the guests to decide. A Ladies Floor is scheduled to make its debut shortly, according to Lotte executives.
CONTACT: 1 Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-721, tel 82 2 771 1000, www.lottehotelseoul.1kr.org
KOREAN TOUCH
THE SHILLA
The magic wand of renowned designer Peter Remedios may have been waved over the hotel’s meeting spaces, lobby and all-day restaurant, but the guestrooms have remained largely untouched.
But they don’t need to really, since constant retouching in recent years has kept the look perennially contemporary with that added Korean accent, quite noticeable in the delicate windows frames.
CONTACT: 202 Jangchung-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-856, tel 82 2 2233 3131, www.shilla.net
ENHANCED TO PLEASE
THE WESTIN CHOSUN
A newly completed renovation of the entire hotel has produced the Business Deluxe Rooms.
A set of home and office conveniences puts the arriving guest immediately at ease, from the smooth wooden floors and anti-allergy carpets to the in-room laptop with internet access, from the self-serve Espresso Premium Coffee Machine to the 32-inch LCD TV (also equipped with internet capability) and from the Westin’s trademark Heavenly Bed to the full-size writing desk.
For Westin Executive Club patrons, there is not one but two lounges, on the ninth and 17th floors, both non-smoking, that offer breakfast from 6.30am to 10am, free open bar from 5.30pm to 8pm for the usual cocktails and canapes, and whole-day tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks. Guests also enjoy free access to the pool and sauna, use of the meeting room for two hours, shoe shine and check in and check out at the executive lounge.
The Presidential Suite, Royal Suite, Executive Suites and Deluxe Suites have also undergone their own makeovers.
CONTACT: 87 Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-070, tel 82 2 771 0500, www.westin.com/seoul
